On Top of the World
In Maine, sweatshirt weather in February calls for a celebration. This morning found both Hannah and I dragging. It was 2:30 a.m. before I made it to bed following the high school state championship basketball game last night. (They won!) It was so...
Catching Gold Fever
Gold fever has taken over at our house, in school, and in our community. Hannah's high school girls basketball team is going to the state championships (class "c") in Augusta tomorrow evening. Each night this week has been filled with Hannah's...
The Peaceful Panda
Looking for something "easy" to work on this weekend, I thought I'd stick with the bear theme after finishing the Great Grizzly. I saw my first Panda during a visit to the National Zoo in the late 70s when I was just a teen. A trip to the same zoo...
February at Jasper Beach
Jasper Beach, a half-mile of natural rock beach, is where we found ourselves on this mild, overcast February day. More like spring than winter, I felt the lure of the outdoors, but was thought most of the trails would be mucky as we’re having a...
Still Standing
Sprinter. I didn't coin the term, but it fits the weather we've had lately. Winter one minute, spring-like the next. The switch from below zero to 50 degree temps in just 24 hours was enough to spur some wild weather. Earlier in the week, we...
The Great Grizzly
This Great Grizzly, along with the Bashful Black Bear and the Fearless Polar Bear, rounds out my collection of North American bears. You won't find him in Maine, but he'll make a good addition to your critter collection. To download this printable...
He Gets Me
A little known fact about me is that I am incapable of cooking a grilled cheese without burning it. I am forever scraping carbon off the burned side. I'm an okay cook, but there are so many things going on in my mind at any given time, that I tend...
An Owl in the Snow
The aftermath of two snow storms - almost back to back - has left us feeling as if winter has finally arrived. Just when I'm starting to count down to spring! Despite the snow and the bitter cold, I couldn't help but smile when I saw this shadow...
The Power of the Cookie on a Snowy Walk
A walk on Friday during Snow Day No. 2 was full of joy for Gidget. She romped and played running circles around me until she ventured too far ahead. View the power of the cookie. https://youtu.be/0zCuGXT_QME
Snow Goose on a Snow Day
I've been thinking about drawing this Snow Goose since last spring when I spied a lone snow goose swimming among a flock of Canadian Geese. It was my first sighting of one and he looked entirely out of place! He was a good project for a snowy day....
Susan’s Felt Patterns: Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s in a Name?
In our house, it seems that it's only a matter of time before our loved ones are labeled with nicknames. Hannah was just a wee one when she became Roo or Hannah-Roo (much to her dismay today). Purfessor Snape, our black kitty is most often called...
The Fanciful Flamingo
What better way to spend a winter's day than creating this Fanciful Flamingo and dreaming of warmer places? You won't find this guy in Maine during the best of times. And while it was sunny today, it was a bitter, blustery walk through the snow to...
That Dog!
It's safe to say, that dog will eat anything. And everything. This morning, as I was gearing up to clean, the roll of paper towels fell off the counter and off she went. She had a grand old time trying to keep away from me. Unfortunately, it's not...
Sunrise over a Solitary Tree
An eye-catching sunrise over my solitary tree this morning. Other solitary tree posts: 29 October 2015: Solitary Tree Through the Fog 13 May 2015: Blackened Barrens 24 February 2015: A Solitary Tree 7 February 2014: Winter Barrens
The Fun Flammulated Owl
Meet the flammulated owl. A tiny little thing with dark eyes, unlike other owls. A good project for a winter day! Right click here and select "Save target as" to save this PDF owl pattern to your computer.
Snow Day No. 1
Did you know there's such a thing as a Snow Day Calculator online that predicts the chance of school being cancelled? With snow in the forecast, the kids were checking this every hour yesterday hoping and praying for a snow day today. I admit that...
A New Normal
It's hard to believe that Gidget has been with us for four months now. This little ball of fluff with the perpetually bad hair day is closing in on seven pounds. Despite her mini size, the vet says she's on the pudgy side, so we've had to scale...
Nesting Season
There's something about this time of year that drives me into nesting mode. Maybe it's the cold that has driven me indoors - or because it's a season of new beginnings. Regardless the reason, I've spent the last few days cleaning, organizing, and...
A Welsh Corgi Named Oji
Oji was a wonderful rescue Welsh Corgi my friends adopted three or four years ago. He was lively and playful and was a wonderful companion for them. When Oji died after being hit by a car last month, Chris said that all the joy seemed to leave...
Winter’s First Big Snow
I knew that winter weather would catch up with us sooner or later. Today we got our first measurable snowfall of the season here along the coast. No one in my household seems too excited about this change - it was 50 degrees out just two days ago....
The Calm Before Winter
This day after Christmas, the temps soared close to 50 degrees outside - so beautiful that I felt guilty sitting inside reading. With the weather man predicting snow twice this coming week, it seemed imperative that I get outside and tackle some...
Christmas Critter Tree
I was feeling a little down when my Christmas gifts to my folks weren't delivered in Pennsylvania when they were supposed to. And of course, I couldn't find my receipt with the tracking number. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Mom called to report that...
Merry Christmas!
The wrapping is finished. I've got a good start on Christmas breakfast and dinner. The house looks somewhat presentable. I'm feeling conflicted - grateful Christmas is a once a year event - and sad that I've not had more time to enjoy the season....
The Bruno Sheltie Ornament
My nephew and his fiance have their first apartment together - and their first Christmas tree. Their "baby" is Bruno the Mini Sheltie, so their tree now sports a Bruno ornament. This pattern was specifically designed to match Bruno's markings....
